Infos

Alexander Hug at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University: "Increasing distance between positions and withdrawing heavy weapons as agreed would reduce civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure" ->

Security Message from U.S. Embassy in Ukraine notes large group of demonstrators protesting in the Kyiv Maidan area, along with a strong security presence. Minor clashes between protesters and security forces reported

Canada's foreign minister Chrystia Freeland says upon arrival at NATO that she'll be speaking with Rex Tillerson on North Korea and Ukraine. She thanks @kvolker for his work as special envoy there. Dodges questions on US position on embassy/Jerusalem and on the Iran deal

Protesters just pushed this car around and brought in cement blocks to make another makeshift barricade, blocking the police van carrying Saakashvili from backing out of what's become at times a violent standoff.

OSCE's Hug: Change in mind-set among sides in eastern Ukraine required. More violence cannot end violence. Conflict cannot be settled on the ground. It can only be settled – through dialogue – at the table. Withdraw weapons and disengage now to avoid even more death and destruction

OSCE's Hug: Sides cannot insist on presence of SMM monitors and then deny them access. Without access, SMM cannot provide verification required in a ceasefire. If sides are serious about ending conflict, they need to get serious about ensuring safe unhindered access now. Ukraine

OSCE's Hug: Sides also obliged to ensure freedom of movement of SMM monitors but still no access to Siedove, close to the unsecured border with Russia in southern Donetsk region, and repeated denial of access to Travneve last week FactsMatter Ukraine

OSCE's Hug: There is no security in what's supposed to be a security zone. Most dangerous place in Ukraine is an area meant to be without danger. Over 300,000 ceasefire violations recorded in east Ukraine this year, and over 400 civilians killed or injured FactsMatter